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CVTA Joins USDOT National Roadway Safety Strategy Call to Action

Aug 3, 2023

Press Release: CVTA Joins USDOT National Roadway Safety Strategy Call to Action

August 3, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alexandria, Virginia – Today, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is announcing that it is answering the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) call to action to improve highway safety through the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).

In support of the National Roadway Safety Strategy, CVTA will be providing presentations to future drivers and industry stakeholders about the necessity of selecting high-quality training when pursuing a truck driving career.

Currently, the trucking industry seeks to bring in new drivers to address an ongoing driver shortage, but it is essential that entry-level drivers are safe and qualified drivers. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards for the training of new drivers require a standardized industry-wide curriculum, but some substandard entities still operate within the training industry. It is imperative that CMV drivers, regulators, and other stakeholders understand the importance of high-quality training.

CVTA’s presentations will be available for potential future drivers, including high school students and adults seeking new career opportunities.

CVTA presentations will also be available to key industry stakeholders, including public workforce development boards that distribute workforce funding, leaders of career and technical education programs, and state authorities that oversee licensure or registration of truck driver training providers.

The Association appreciates the commitment from USDOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to improving safety on our nation’s highways and looks forward to a strong partnership between our organizations in support of these critical goals.

For more information about the upcoming presentations or to request that CVTA provide a presentation to your organization, please contact Andrew Poliakoff, CVTA’s Executive Director (andrew.poliakoff@cvta.org).

CVTA previewed the NRSS action item submission at FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety event in May:

 

The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is the largest association representing commercial truck driver training programs in the United States. CVTA represents 395 training locations in 46 states. Collectively, CVTA members train 100,000 drivers annually. 

CVTA advocates for policies that enhance safety on our nation’s highways and reduce barriers to accessing high-quality training and becoming a commercial motor vehicle operator.

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Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.

Andrew Poliakoff

Andy Poliakoff is the Executive Director for CVTA. In this role, he promotes the mission of the membership organization and implements goals set by the Board of Directors. This includes forming partnerships with external stakeholders, providing guidance and direction to the CVTA staff team, and engaging with state and federal government agencies to advance CVTA’s mission of safety and career opportunities in the truck driver training industry.

In 2021 and 2022, Andy acted as federal affairs lead for Electrify America, interacting at high levels within Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the White House. In that capacity, he played a pivotal role in the optimization of large-scale infrastructure funding at the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

From 2019 to 2021 Andy served as Director of Gov't Affairs for CVTA and formed a strong bond with members, engaging on advocacy related to Entry-Level Driver Training, Skills Testing Delays, and Workforce funding. During the pandemic, Andy fought at the state and federal level to treat CDL training and testing as the essential services they are. He is personally invested in the important mission of CVTA's members to deliver safe training and to transform people's lives through truck driving careers.

Andy holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University.

Cindy Atwood

Cindy Atwood is the Vice President at CVTA. An experienced association professional, Cindy handles all activities related to membership retention, financial accounting and committee engagement. Cindy artfully produces CVTA’s off-site biannual conferences, Hill Day operations and Board meetings, ensuring that the general membership and leadership’s necessities and wishes are met with the highest response.

An essential fixture in the truck driver training association space, Cindy manages CVTA’s Instructor Certification Program and provides critical counsel to new entrants into the truck driver training industry.

Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.